U.s. Men Finish Off Serbians With Ease

August 7, 2004|By Tom Reed, Akron (Ohio) Beacon-Journal

BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro -- Some thought it in poor taste for the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team to celebrate its last-second victory over Germany, a non-Olympic qualifier, in Wednesday's exhibition game.

No raucous celebration followed Friday's 78-60 dismantling of world champion Serbia-Montenegro at Belgrade Arena.

The quiet confidence spoke volumes about the Americans' improved state of mind.

"We just keep getting better. As time wears on, we are becoming more of a team," U.S. swingman LeBron James said.

Hardly resembling the team that lost to Italy by 17 points on Tuesday, the Americans put together their best all-around effort of the pre-Olympic primer before a partisan crowd of 16,245 fans.

Following U.S. Coach Larry Brown's mantra of "playing the right way,'' the defense by the Americans forced 17 turnovers and held their opponents to 26 first-half points in a surprisingly easy triumph.

"We played hard and we tried to do what was right, and I think that was a significant step," Brown said.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs led the Americans with 16 points, and James contributed 11 points off the bench.

"We needed this for our confidence and needed it to look back on and see what we did right," said guard Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

The Americans found themselves in an unfamiliar role as underdogs. Local Serbian betting parlors installed the home team as four-point favorites, The Associated Press said.

The passionate Serbian fans sounded like a swarm of cicadas as they derisively whistled every time the Americans touched the ball in the first quarter. It's Europe's traditional way of booing.

James, Wade and Carmelo Anthony helped turned the building into a reading room in the second quarter. The trio sparked a 14-0 run that pushed the American lead to 34-17.

Unlike Italy and Germany, the Serbians rarely defended the Americans with a zone. If the teams were to meet in the Olympic medal round, that strategy likely would change.

The Americans shot 50 percent from the floor as they pounded the ball inside to Duncan early, opening up the perimeter for the likes of Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury.

"Our first concern needs to be getting the ball inside first,'' Brown said. "Whenever Tim Duncan or one of our big guys catches the ball inside, we play much much better."

Lamar Odom of the Heat was the American team's best player in the final quarter, stopping the Serbian team's momentum with clutch shots each time it tried to rally.

Igor Rakocevic led Serbia-Montenegro with 18 points, and Dejan Bodiroga, often called the best player in Europe, added 14.